FPC Targets Foldable Phones with New Biometric Sensor

Fingerprint Cards has released a new side-mounted capacitive touch sensor built specifically for mobile devices. The FPC1540 boasts a slim design that can be integrated into a range of different form factors, including foldable and borderless smartphone models.

“As smartphone design diversifies, biometrics are becoming an enabler for innovation and differentiation,” said Fingerprint Cards Mobile Business Line SVP Ted Hansson. “We’ve got years of experience, R&D expertise and our advanced algorithms to give OEMs maximum design flexibility, and without compromise to security or functionality.”

Like FPC’s other sensors, the FPC1540 will enable biometric fingerprint authentication and allow users to unlock devices without needing to enter a password. It also offers additional utility depending on the design of the phone, and can be leveraged to adjust volume, operate a camera shutter, scroll through the screen, and as a power button to turn a phone on and off.

According to FPC, the first phone with an FPC1540 will hit the market sometime in early 2020. The company recently revealed that its biometric sensors have now appeared in 400 different smartphone models, though the declining prices of fingerprint sensors have had an impact on FPC’s latest fiscal report. FPC has tried to diversify its offerings with face and iris recognition through the Touchless platform.